- Waterford Crystal crafts Irish Open trophy at House of Waterford
- County offers three distinct golfing experiences within short distances
- Waterford Golf Club dates to 1912 with Braid and Park designs
- Dungarvan Golf Triangle provides three courses within ten-minute drive
- Visitors can tour House of Waterford crystal-making facilities
Waterford’s connection to the Amgen Irish Open has strengthened as the tournament trophy once again emerges from the House of Waterford Crystal, the world-renowned craftspeople who have created the prestigious award since 2022. Senior Product Designer Matt Kehoe conceived the sculptural design, which represents a golfer’s career progression through intricate crystal cuts that rise towards the peak in a contemporary sporting expression. The trophy begins its life at the Waterford factory, where master craftspeople mouth-blow molten crystal heated beyond 1,400°C before hand-cutting, engraving and polishing each piece to its distinctive brilliance.
Visit Waterford has seized this moment to showcase the county’s exceptional golfing landscape, which extends from the River Suir’s banks to the Atlantic coast within easy reach of one another. Waterford Golf Club, established in 1912, features a front nine designed by Open Champion Willie Park Jr. and a back nine by five-time Open winner James Braid, offering sweeping views across the city, River Suir and Comeragh Mountains just minutes from the city centre. Waterford Castle Golf Resort & Club presents a distinct experience on a private 310-acre island reached by complimentary car ferry, with the 18-hole par 72 course winding through mature woodland and parkland.
West Waterford’s Dungarvan Golf Triangle offers three distinctive clubs within a ten-minute drive, with Dungarvan Golf Club positioned between Dungarvan Bay and the Comeragh Mountains, West Waterford Golf Club combining mature tree-lined fairways with newer demanding holes, and the coastal Gold Coast Golf Club completing the triangle with spectacular views and a challenging finish. Visitors can combine these courses with quality accommodation, excellent local food and the dramatic landscapes of Waterford’s coast and countryside. The House of Waterford Guided Tour Experience allows visitors to go behind the scenes and watch master craftspeople bring Waterford crystal to life, with accommodation options ranging from hotels and luxury resorts to guesthouses and countryside escapes.
Clare Barrett, Chair of Visit Waterford, shared: “Waterford has a very special connection with the Irish Open through the trophy created at the House of Waterford.” Barrett added: “This gives us an opportunity to tell a much wider story about golf in the county beyond the tournament itself.” Barrett confirmed: “Within a relatively small area, golfers can experience historic parkland courses, island golf, coastal courses and spectacular mountain and river scenery.”
